It seems the people of Nick at Nite are the latest victims to be bamboozled by Roseann’s facade seen as talent. What the heck!? And, I hear she may have (or occassionally appear in) two new series!?!? Why did they let her even get started!?!?!?!
What talent scout did she bribe? Am I missing something here? And then, to hear how she was once pushing the network around! Why did they even put up with her demands? Ug! - Jinx
Damned if I know… her appeal has always escaped me.
Because her show was a really big hit?
I think it was her shtick that was considered new, back upon a time. No one had taken lower-end working class and combined it with an opinionated, more-than-tell-it-like-it-is woman before. But that’d just be just my guess.
Unfortunately, too much of her comedy aped what my mother thought was appropriate, but witty, humor for me as her only child. Not fun stuff when aimed at awkward, easily embarrassed teenage girls, IMHO. So, I skipped a whole lot of her “domestic goddess” routine, although others loved it by the thousands.
Appealed to all those, I suppose, that it gave a ‘voice’ (against crappy paying jobs, not-the-best marriages, rambunctious kids, falling apart houses, etc.) to so that they didn’t feel alone. And heard somewhat, for maybe the very first time.
Because she was different, funny, and original.
Her name is Roseanne.
I personally thought her show was brillaint and it remains one of my favorite sitcoms of all time. All the characters were very multidimensional (except DJ, not sure what the deal was with that freak) and situations were realistic (for a sitcom anyway) with a perfect mix of humor and drama. No, I didn’t find it as shocking as she perhaps intended, but I’m not really entertained by empty shock anyway.
I also find at least some of her standup funny, and thought she was great on SNL. Yeah, a lot of her antics are annoying (like that ridiculous multiple personality disorder stunt), but I do think she’s a great talent.
I think it was a great show originally; she began as a stand-up comedian, and she did originally speak about working-class life that wasn’t present in most American sitcoms (remember, this was a time when situation comedy meant Happy Days and ALF). At its height, the show managed to mix realism with some very funny humour. Plus there was a time when Darlene was the love object of every geeky guy in the Western world.
However, as so often happens with people who base their success on their normalness but are suddenly given millions of dollars, Roseanne lost track of reality and turned into a bizarre Hollywood creature. And she had nothing new to turn to once she stopped being this ordinary funny woman.
She was a very successful stand-up comic befor her very popular show. It was one of the few comedies that mixed in some drama that I liked because I could identify with the drama of wondering if the electricity would be cut off. Like most shows the quality dropped in later years and that series ending was pretty weird.
She was a VERY funny standup comedienne and, luckily for her, had some talented actors on her show. Once she got strange, they were still talented enough to carry the show. And she still had some great one-liners up until the last season.
I just pretend the last season didn’t happen (including the finale, I don’t want Dan to be dead). But I always liked her show, she’s a funny woman.
She was a good stand up comedianne but her acting sucks!
She is a troubled woman.
When the show started, it was great-and John Goodman was fantastic.
As the show went on, however, it got more and more absurd and ridiculous. Especially when she got involved with Tom Arnold.
It then become a total train wreck.
But if you’ve never seen the early shows, you should. You might catch a glimpse of a young George Clooney!
As I recall, the first season was a little weak because she hadn’t yet figured out how to become her character instead of being a stand-up comedian spouting lines. Not to say that she became a great actress but she did get better and the second season to the season in which Tom Arnold appeared were excellent. I think the one I laughed the hardest at was the show where DJ learned to “play his instrument.”
I thought the funniest episode was when Dan found the bag of pot in the freezer and they indulged for the first time in 20 years.
Jackie: What the hell do you think you’re doing with that? That’s not how you roll it…
New reality show idea: Roseanne and Anna Nicole With Busey!
That episode contained one of my personal favourite lines of all time. Barr, Goodman and Laurie Metcalfe were getting stoned in the bathroom and Metcalfe was lying, fully clothed, in the bathtub. Suddenly she looks around in a moment of panic:
“Is this the sink? Am I shrinking?”
Hysterical.
Agreed.
About ten years ago.
Oh come on. If Tom Arnold still gets to be on TV why not Roseanne?
Ugh, just typing his name makes me shudder!
I wouldn’t mind seeing John Goodman more often, both in TV and movies.
Roseanne is a female Archie Bunker, the only difference being that Carroll O’Conner is a competent actor. I’d rather be deep fried than watch her on television.
I’m looking forward to see Roseanne on Nic@Nite. Anything has got to be better than the endless Cosby reruns…
… and (a few seasons later) an older Micheal O’Keefe (of Caddyshack fame).
And I agree: the pot episode and the DJ coming into adulthood (pun most certainly intended) are 2 of the funniest.
As for the more dramatic side of the show, my insides always stir when Becky first comes home after aloping and tries to talk to Dan who is avoiding the issue by working in the garage.
Becky: Dad, I was just an extra mouth to feed. I thought I was doing you a favor.
Dan: (holding his wrench without even looking at her) Don’t do me no favors Becky.
What a moment!